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Why Performers Hate Their Record Labels

Kelly Lee

Kelly Lee

Yeah, I'm a guy!
Supporting Member
Feb 17, 2004
6,317
29
Marana, AZ, USA
www.actshooters.com
#1
I found this little article while surfing and thought it was perfect for illustrating "The Dark Side" of the music biz. For all musicians wanting to be "signed" by a major label, you should read this: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Makes you wonder about being a musician sometimes. :hmm:
 
#2
The crap-factor of Major Labels should not be news to anyone whose read anything by Steve Albini, or "Confessions of a Record Producer" or anyone whose seen an episode of "Behind the Music".

The music scene is strewn with the corpses of bands that were destroyed by label disputes or fell apart while caught in label limbo.

This isn't to say that indie labels are in someway divine; there are other instances of bands being screwed over by small operations and tend to involve blatant copywright violation, or bankruptcy that freezes the band's new album, not allowing them sell the album until the proceedings are over (happened to a lot of groups when Caroline went bankrupt).

Still, it's a different kind of screwing over, you can avoid the sketchy labels pretty easily and find an indie of reasonable size run by people with a genuine love for their music. With Majors, you're just another cog in a big machine, if there's a problem, you'll be taking on a monolithic corporate entity that doesn't care about art, or quality, only about moving units.
 
#5
This is a little off topic, but the link that this article was tied to goes to a radio station in Toronto called 102.1 the Edge. This is only interesting because I listen to the Dallas Texas radio station, 102.1 the Edge.

Both stations calling themselves 'the Edge' is a moderately interesting coincidence. But both having the same frequency as well is just wierd.
 
#10
The problem is money blind. Nobody these days (or most people ever, it seems) understand how money works. Me? I don't care if Sony was asking to sign with them; if someone waves a million dollar check under my nose, I don't drool, I start asking questions.
 
#11
SMASH said:
Don't forget Mixerman - Invalid Link Removed...
Click to expand...
+1

My wife bought me the whole hardback version of the daily adventures of Mixerman for my birthday. I made all my bandmates read the book, too.

Hey Smash, I heard Mixerman is back at it with another diary of his experience. Do you know if its true, and if so, where I can find it? And who exactly is BitchSlap? PM me if you know!
 
#13
Brendan said:
The problem is money blind. Nobody these days (or most people ever, it seems) understand how money works. Me? I don't care if Sony was asking to sign with them; if someone waves a million dollar check under my nose, I don't drool, I start asking questions.
Click to expand...

+1,000,000

Getting signed isn't a free ticket; it's basically a VERY high interest loan.

Back in the day, I could understand the need for signing with a major label. They were the ones with the big distribution connections. Now, you can make an album on your own dime and sell it yourself (while retaining the rights to your own music, which is a big plus). When MP3's began the rage, I knew why the music industry was crapping their pants. It wasn't because people would be stealing music; it was because artists now had a meduim to distrubute their own music without the need of the fat cats. Think about: why sign with a label that's just going to give you the shaft, when you can just sell your CD through CD baby? You probaly won't reach super-star status, but after the overhead that goes with being signed, you might be making just as much or even more money in the long-run.
 
#16
The Golden Boy said:
You mean people make money doing this?
Click to expand...

Sure! You make money if you move stuff, move equipment, move lights, move faders. You make money if you design the packaging, you make money if you run the studio, you make money if you press the units. You make a LOT of money if you wear a suit and push papers around on a desk.

Basically, you make money (some, or lots), so long as you stay away from playing actual music.

This works on multiple levels.
 
#17
WillPlay4Food said:
Here's where the latest MM diaries are being held: --> Invalid Link Removed

I read all the Bitch Slap stuff back when he was writing it live. Is the book worth picking up?
Click to expand...
Thanks for the link Will,
The book is basically all the same stuff that was originally published on the 'net but with 1 last entry, where Mixerman basically explains that Marv has resigned from the label, and the new president promptly dumped Bitch Slap. Marv starts his own record label and re-signs BS to his new label (but I'll bet you new that already if you've started reading the new chronicles). Don't waste your $25 for 1 chapter. It doesn't divuldge a huge surprise ending.
Anyhow, who is Bitch Slap? Does anyone here know?!?
 
#19
Against Will said:
Sure! You make money if you move stuff, move equipment, move lights, move faders. You make money if you design the packaging, you make money if you run the studio, you make money if you press the units. You make a LOT of money if you wear a suit and push papers around on a desk.

Basically, you make money (some, or lots), so long as you stay away from playing actual music.

This works on multiple levels.
Click to expand...

I wonder what Karl Marx would say about the record industry.
 

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